Alternative lenders online often provide the most options to businesses that struggle to obtain traditional financing for several reasons. Through some quick research, you will find that online lenders such as Kabbage, Fundbox, or Street Shares are willing to work with businesses that either has a credit score as low as 500 or in certain situations do not require any credit score qualifications be met. Whether you decide to open a line of credit for your business and pay them back based on future credit sales or find a loan that adequately suits your needs, it is important to communicate your needs to your lender as each loan comes with different repayment plans and structures. Lenders also take into account the amount of time you have been in business, your personal credit score along with those of your business partners, bank deposit history, and credit card sales. These are all alternative factors that could allow your small business to qualify for a more lucrative loan program. If you are still finding it difficult to qualify for any of these alternative loan options, another method of obtaining those funds would be to take on a business partner as a credit partner in the event you could open up a business credit card, many of which allow up to $50, 000 in borrowing amounts.
Similarly, you can apply for a business credit card and make small business purchases with it. If you have poor or no personal credit, financial institutions are likely to allow a very limited line of credit initially. Over time, you can build your business credit just like your personal credit. It takes time, but to obtain loans that really pack a punch, you'll need a solid business credit score. How to Apply for an EIN The IRS uses your EIN for tax purposes, and nearly every business entity needs one. Sole proprietorships and individuals are not exempt from needing an EIN, either. Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, non-profits, and pretty much everyone else needs an EIN. If you think you may need an EIN, consider first if you must pay business taxes. If so, you need an EIN. Also, if you pay one or more employees, have a business bank account, start a business line of credit, or form some sort of corporation, LLC, or partnership, you need an EIN. The IRS also specifies that you must have an EIN if you bid for a contract owned by the federal government.
Once you have the loan, you'll be in that relationship for a while, so it's best not to settle. How to get an SBA Loan with bad credit by bolstering your profile In the interim, rather than waiting around, you can take steps to make it easier for you to get approved. One of the surefire ways to boost your business credit score is to get approved for an SBA 7(a) loan. That's because it will establish a payment history that lenders like to see. Other suggestions include: Establish lines of credit with your suppliers and make timely payments over time. Take out a business credit card, even if the credit limit is low at first due to a lack of credit history or bad credit. Use it exclusively for business transactions. Keep a budget for your business, similar to the way you do for your personal expenses. Track your revenue, expenses, and savings. This documentation will go a long way when it comes time to apply for an SBA 7(a) loan. Maintain a debt-to-income ratio — which is your monthly expenses divided by gross income — of below 43%.
Assets that are worth something are a must if you have bad credit and want a business loan. This might be cash, real estate, vehicles, machinery, etc. Basically, provide the lender with some reassurance that if you were to default on your loan, there is something of value they could collect to minimize their losses. Getting an unsecured business loan will not be possible with bad credit. Comprehensive Business Plan If you have bad personal credit, your best chance at getting a business loan is to have a great business plan. No lender is even going to look at you if you don't have a great business plan. Make sure you include why you are qualified to work in the industry, what your competitive advantages are, what you do, who your competitors are, and why you can beat them out for market share. Do not assume the bank knows what your plan is, or why you are better, spell it out in a comprehensive business plan that they can easily read. Last, but not least, if you have poor personal credit and want to get a business loan, consider establishing some business credit that you can use to apply for a loan in the future.
The fact is that if you have bad personal credit, you are severely limited when it comes to finding business financing. However, it is not impossible to get business loans with bad credit. There are three things you have to have to get a small business loan with bad credit: Credit Report One of the first things you need to do is make sure that you actually have bad credit. For many people, their credit is poor, but not bad. Since it is not as high as they are used to, they think it is bad. Find out what the lenders actually think is bad credit. Then, get your credit report, and do a good sweep of it to make sure everything is accurate, and that any mistakes that are on it are addressed right away. Look at your credit report and see if you have any R9's. If not, you should be fine, but if you do, you will need to explain them to the lender or there is no way you are going to get a business loan. Collateral If you want to get a business loan with bad credit, you have to have something to leverage the debt.